CA Technologies Embraces Cohen Children's Medical Center

Company partnership brings light-filled, welcoming atrium and sanctuary to CCMC’s young patients and their families. But their most valuable donation is the time they volunteer.

Just walking into Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York (CCMC) can be a great adventure for children. Designed with children and their families in mind, the hospital’s atrium was transformed in 2010 with architectural enhancements to provide a more soothing environment that reflects the magic and whimsy of childhood. With the support of CA Technologies, the 5,000-square-foot CA Technologies Child and Family Activity Resource Center is at the heart of the hospital.

Located in Islandia, NY, CA Technologies is an IT management software and solutions company with expertise across all IT environments—from mainframe and distributed to virtual and cloud. They are committed to working to improve the quality of life in the communities where their employees live and work worldwide, and are fully committed to advancing social, environmental and economic sustainability. Driven by their core philanthropic focus of improving the lives of underserved children, their Community Affairs program turned its attention to assisting the young lives at CCMC.

In 2005, CA Technologies made a pledge to establish the CA Technologies Child and Family Activity Resource Center at CCMC. At the heart of this leading children's teaching hospital is the wellness center: a glass-domed atrium space that provides a quiet respite, featuring multifunctional seating areas; an art gallery; and an all-season environment for performances, educational programs, games and other activities.

Built with children and their families in mind, the area is designed to improve children's health and well-being, while relieving the anxiety of a hospital visit. Adorned with vibrant colors and whimsical design, the center includes a water feature, which surrounds the surgical waiting area. “The Cube” is the main attraction of the play area, with an interactive display that projects over 70 eye-catching special effects and games on the floor that can be controlled with simple hand, foot and body movements. It also includes a family information resource center, a food court, a gift shop and a dedicated Wi-Fi-enabled waiting area for those who have loved ones undergoing surgery. By design, the architecture of the new atrium allows for a family-centered approach to care. Studies show that the presence of family members, especially siblings, can influence a child’s recovery. That’s why the atrium renewal project was so important.

While CA Technologies is proud of its financial contributions to the improvement of the atrium at CCMC, they strongly believe the most valuable donations are those made by its employees, who give their time and talents throughout the year to help those in need.

Since its inception in 2005, CA Together in Action, the company’s worldwide volunteer month, has provided employees with the opportunity to take time during business hours to participate in a variety of volunteer activities. A consistent event for the past seven years has been the participation at CCMC’s annual Halloween Party, organized by Child Life. CA Technologies employees, dressed in costume, provide goodie-bags, help kids get into costume and accompany those able to walk around the hospital or trick-or-treat for those unable to leave their rooms.

In turn, North Shore-LIJ employees have had the opportunity to visit the CA Technologies campus, hosting educational programs for the company’s employees. This past February, Jean Cacciabaudo, MD, chief of cardiology at Southside Hospital spoke about heart health. Last July, Debbie Riccardi, CPNP, director of community health nursing at CCMC, offered nutritional advice for children.

The support of a philanthropic corporation like CA Technologies plays a vital role in the continuation of our programs at CCMC. “Donors are as much an integral part of our team as our dedicated staff, making possible the outstanding outcomes we see every day,” says Kevin McGeachy, executive director, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York. Through our partnership we can ensure that our young patients have the brightest future possible.